Culinary Beginnings
From as early as I can remember, I’ve been a lover of food. As a young girl first learning how to cook, my parents couldn’t get me away from the kitchen. Despite my concoctions not turning out the best at first, I always knew what good food tasted like; so, I pursued that passion of mine through middle and high school, becoming not only a better chef, but a highly-knowledgeable foodie. I sought out all the best restaurants, tried a variety of dishes across cultures, and of course, started to write my own restaurant critiques.
As a California native, I grew up surrounded by an array of amazing culinary arts from authentic Mexican and Asian food to Michelin restaurants and local spots with more relaxed, coastal flairs. Moving to the East Coast, I brought my love and knowledge of food along with me, and I thought I knew it all! But I had forgotten one key thing: I’d never eaten seafood.
It sounds crazy enough to live in a California beach town, call yourself a foodie, and not like anything that comes from the sea. But to then become a New Englander and still not change your mind? Well, that’s just insane (or so I was told). For that reason, I was convinced that if I were going to survive as a lover of food in Boston, I would have to expand my love past the fruitful gifts of land and venture into the tastes of the ocean too.
Trying New Things
I started small, trying things like salmon, cod, and tuna. Slowly but surely my tolerance and, admittedly, my love for fish started to grow. I found myself craving a spicy tuna roll for lunch or a filet of grilled salmon for dinner. It was shocking! For a while, I questioned my own tastebuds–the ones I had trusted for so many years of my life–and began to wonder if I really knew anything about food at all. But just as quickly as the doubt arrived, it was replaced by a feeling of excitement: whole new culinary worlds were becoming accessible to me, and I had no intention of hiding from them.
That’s when I tried my first bite of lobster. It was Christmas time, and my Italian family was celebrating the Feast of Seven Fishes: a potluck style gathering where everyone brings their own seafood dish for a total of, you guessed it, seven. Now, believe me, I probably only tried four or five of the meals (some things were still a little too exotic for my palate), but one of the ones I did try was a warm, buttered lobster tail; cutting a small piece and shutting my eyes, I ate my first bite of the sea creature. I was instantly in a state of shock because my stomach craved more! I ended up having two small tails that night, and from that moment forward I had my sights set on something bigger–something that would confirm my status as a true New England foodie…
Experiencing the Roll
Returning to school in the fall, I was reminded of my love for the east coast and for the city of Boston. Leaves were beginning to change color, the morning air was filled with a fresh, crisp breeze, and making my way to Quincy Market, I was met with the slight kiss of the warm sun and the comforting smell of the Atlantic ocean. Something about the day seemed to welcome a new beginning, and I would soon find out why. I walked myself into the food hall, searching for my fellow Spoon members to set up for our biggest tasting event of the semester, and I came face to face with the beautiful looming sign of Wicked Lobsta’s shop stand. It looked down upon us knowingly, almost as if to hint at the joy our mouths would soon be filled with. But we weren’t there just yet–first we had to place our order and wait for our other members to arrive.
Standing in line at the busy food hall, we were surrounded by a rush of people, either tourists with bright, admiring eyes and locals with accent-thick and booming voices. Regardless, they all contributed to the bustling energy of the lunch hour. Something about the lively atmosphere invited a sense of serenity and calm though, as if the city was reaching out to invite and welcome its newest and oldest inhabitants. My anticipation was growing.
Soon enough, our food was ready! Thanks to the extremely kind and friendly staff of the small stand, we received our large order of cold (traditional Maine-style) lobster rolls with efficiency and great care–something I could tell immediately upon seeing the large, overflowing rolls. They were grilled to crisp, golden-brown, buttery perfection and the lobster filling–sourced locally by the business–was piled high. It was mixed with their creamy mayo, topped with a dusting of salty garlicky seasoning, and all made fresh in-house daily. My California eyes had never seen anything quite like it before. I was in complete and utter awe.
Finally, as I sat in the center of the food court with friends by my side, it was time to take a bite. I closed my eyes–this time not in fear but in hopeful preparation–and allowed my tastebuds for the first time to experience the infamous New England dish that would change my perspective of food forever. Wicked Lobsta’s masterful craftsmanship of the lobster roll instantly transformed that seemingly average day in the city to a cinematic sensation. I was finally experiencing the pinnacle of East Coast life. Having tried this delicious dish, I took on the energy of a person who’s lived here all their life; as the lobster made its way down to my stomach, so too did the Bostonian qualities begin to run through my heart and all parts of my being. That single bite gave validity to my endeavors as a Boston foodie–I felt I finally saw this area’s unique culinary landscape for all that it really is. Because I discovered the soul of the city through this dish, I also discovered a sensation of belonging for my own soul within it.
Final Reflection
It was a long and exciting journey leading up to this moment of indulgence in my first ever lobster roll (who knows, maybe once I taste the hot version I’ll come to another revelation), but looking back it was part of the steps to get there that made the ending experience so magical. After one year of living in this city, I can now confidently say I feel like a real New England foodie, all thanks to the authentic experience that Wicked Lobsta brings to their table, drawing upon years of culinary tradition and expertise. Whether you’re visiting for a short period of time or find yourself in the area frequently, this spot is undoubtedly a must-try for anyone looking to experience the magnificence that is Boston’s wicked unique lobster rolls.